Deadline: 30th September 2026 | Capture the people, ideas and systems shaping a more secure and sustainable food future across Southeast Asia.

The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest invites professional and amateur photographers from Southeast Asia to submit original images under the theme “Food for All, Food for the Future.” The milestone edition highlights the people and systems behind safe, nutritious, accessible and resilient food, offering photographers a chance to tell meaningful stories about agriculture and food systems across the region.

Eligibility:

  • Open to all Southeast Asian nationals.
  • Professional and amateur photographers may participate.
  • SEARCA staff and their immediate family members are not eligible.
  • There is no stated age restriction.
  • Participants may submit an unlimited number of entries, provided each meets the contest requirements.
  • Photos must be original and must not have won a previous contest, been published elsewhere or been entered in another contest during the contest period.
  • AI-generated, AI-composited, heavily manipulated or misleading staged images are not eligible.

Description:

The contest is organised by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). Entries should explore the theme “Food for All, Food for the Future” through subjects such as nourishing families and communities, food markets and access, safe food practices, innovation for food security, climate-ready food systems and women in food and agriculture.

Entries must be digital colour photographs in JPEG format and meet SEARCA’s technical specifications. Each submission must also include information in English about the photographer, the photograph, its location and date, a short description and the relevant sub-theme.

Submissions are open until 30 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT+8.

Benefits:

  • First Prize: USD 1,000 and a certificate.
  • Second Prize: USD 800 and a certificate.
  • Third Prize: USD 500 and a certificate.
  • SEARCA Center Director’s Choice: USD 500 and a certificate.
  • Winning photographs and selected finalists may be featured in SEARCA galleries, publications, exhibitions, digital platforms and other communications materials.

Find out more and apply at the official link below:

OFFICIAL LINK

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Apply before 30th September, 2026